U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
LURAY B. MILLS
Wellsville, NY
LURAY B. MILLS, 90, of 4192 A Bolivar Road, passed away Thursday, March 31, 2005 at the Wellsville Manor Care Center. She was born August 25, 1914 in St. Louis, MO the daughter of David and Burdette (Fish) Bovee. On April 20, 1932 in Wellsville, she married Clifford Mills, who predeceased her in 1990. She first was employed by Elmhurst Dairy and later by the J.J. Newberrys Co. and Rockwells of Wellsville. She was also a life member of the Women of the Moose. Luray is survived by 2 sons: David C. (Connie) Mills of Wellsville, Robert J. (Dona) Mills of Hornell, a daughter: Maureen (Doug) Mills Strauss of Green Valley, AZ, 7 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and a sister-in-law: Phoebe Beckering of Wellsville. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a sister: Catherine Holliday. There will be no prior visitation; a graveside service in Woodlawn Cemetery will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial suggestions include the S.P.C.A. Serving Allegany County. Arrangements are under the direction of the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home, Inc. in Wellsville.
LEAON E. FANTON
Wellsville, NY
LEAON E. FANTON, 80, of 3227 Riverside Drive, passed away on Thursday March 31, 2005 at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born October 6, 1924 in Wellsville, the son of Clarence and Bertha (Gleason) Fanton. On January 26, 1946 in Andover he married Edna L. Claire who predeceased him on July 24, 2003.He was life long resident of Wellsville and a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was employed a press operator for the Wellsville Daily Reporter for 27½ years and later was a security guard for Dresser-Rand Corporation for 10 years retiring in 1990. Leaon was a life member of both the Morrison-Hayes Post 702 American Legion and the Frank B. Church Post 2530 VFW. He loved country music, NASCAR, outdoor activities and spending time with his many close friends.He is survived by 1 son; Leaon “Bob” (Rebecca) Fanton of Wellsville, 3 granddaughters; Terry (Scott) Dodge of Brooksville, FL, Michelle and Erica Fanton both of Wellsville, several nieces & nephews and a very special friend Earl Buchholz of Wellsville. He was predeceased by 4 brothers; Melvin, Howard, Raymond and Clifford Fanton. Friends are invited to call on Monday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will be Tuesday April 5th at 11:00 am in the funeral home with Rev. Anna Shirey presiding. Burial will be in Stannards Cemetery and memorial suggestions include the Allegany County Association for the Blind & Handicapped Inc.
BURDETTE A. “Buck” GLEASON
Wellsville, NY
BURDETTE A. “Buck” GLEASON, 88, of 81 Madison Street, passed away on Sunday April 3, 2005 at Jones Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. He was born on March 8, 1917 in Wellsville, the son of Clarence Eugene and Lillian (Vanderhoff) Gleason. On September 11, 1937 in Bolivar he married Mary A. Kalkhof who predeceased him on November 29, 1995. A lifelong resident of Wellsville, Buck attended WellsvilleCentralSchool and was a veteran of the U.S. Army during WW II. He was employed by the Sinclair Refinery as a Lab Technician from 1939 until it’s closing in 1958. He later owned and operated a TV repair business and worked as a TV Technician forCarpetTown until his retirement in 1984. He was an avid horseshoe pitcher and had received many awards. He is survived by two sons, Daniel (Patricia) Gleason of Crossville, TN and William (Beverly) Gleason of Middlesex, NY; one daughter, Jane (Daniel) Hartman of Canisteo, NY; Six granddaughters, four grandsons, ten great grandsons, five grant granddaughters and two great-great grandsons. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by a daughter, Gail Pierce in 1990. Friends are invited to call on Tuesday from 7:00 to 9:00 pm and Wednesday from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at the J. W. Embser Sons Funeral Home Inc. in Wellsville. The funeral will follow visitation on Wednesday April 6th at 2:00 pm in the funeral home with Pastor Daniel Pickering presiding. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery and memorial suggestions include Meals on Wheels % the Allegany County Office for the Aging or the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Pearl Elizabeth Ross
Wellsville, NY
Pearl Elizabeth Ross, 84, passed away on Tuesday April 5, 2005 at Jones Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. She was born Feb. 19, 1921 in Harrison Valley, Pa. one of seven children of Curtis and Martha [Truax] Robbins. On April 10, 1939 she married Clair W. Ross who predeceased her on April 22, 1995. Pearl moved to Wellsville as a young woman and worked in several restaurants and grocery stores, including Cretekos, Harvy and Carry’s and NuWay before and after marrying. In the early 1980s, she opened the Lone Star Cafe’ on Main Street with her daughter Patricia. She enjoyed square dancing with the grand squares, traveling and her grandchildren. She loved horses and dogs, especially Skipper and loved to walk in the falling snow. She especially enjoyed cooking and baking.She was the proud mother of two daughters, Patricia Seaver, Pratt, [Ronald] Baker and Kathryn Ross both of Wellsville. She will be sadly missed by her 4 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, six siblings, Clifford, Albert, Harry, Clair and Jess and a sister Dorothea Collins, a grandson Keith Pratt and a great grand daughter Pree Seaver. Friends may call on Friday April 8 in the J.W. Embser & Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville from 10 am to 11 am at which time a Funeral Service will take place. Rev. Edward Collins will officiate and burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Belmont. Memorial may be made to either Music on the Lawn at 184 Rauber St. Wellsville or to The Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
Sanford “Sammy” Stevens
Wellsville, NY
Sanford “Sammy” Stevens, of 124 North Highland Ave., passed away on Saturday April 9, 2005 at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born in Alfred on December 29, 1913 to Thomas and Clara [Smith] Stevens. On June 12, 1939, Sanford married Agnes Arnold, daughter of Albert and Katherine Arnold at the First Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville. His parents moved to Wellsville in 1916, where Sammy attended school. He played football for Wellsville High School and graduated in 1931. After graduation he worked for Cannon’s Men Store then at Ritter Oil Company. He was later hired to work in the machine shop at Moore Steam Turbin where he stayed for 38 years retiring from what is now Dresser Rand in 1977. Sammy was an accomplished amateur photographer whose work was published in a “Life” magazine article reporting on the Sinclair Refinery Fire of 1939 in Wellsville. He was an avid sportsman, enjoying large and small game hunting, especially at the Kibbe Camp in Pennsylvania. Sammy and his son Don fished streams and lakes for over a half of century. He built kayaks in the 1960s which are still being used. Sammy was a devoted member of the First Trinity Lutheran Church in Wellsville and its men’s club. He volunteered many hours for various needs at the church and sang in its choir for a number of years.He is survived by his son Donald [Marilyn] Stevens of Wellsville and a granddaughter Carol [Darren] Fanton of Wellsville, a niece and a nephew and several cousins. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Agnes in 1999. Friends are invited to call at the First Trinity Lutheran Church on Tuesday from 11 am to 1 pm at which time a service will be held. Pastor Robert Morris will preside and burial will be In Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Trinity Church, Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps or to the SPCA serving Allegany County. Arrangements are under the direction of the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home.
Irwin W. ”Pete” Cole
Wellsville, NY
Irwin W. ”Pete” Cole, of 141 North Brooklyn Ave., passed away on Wednesday April 20, 2005 at Jones Memorial Hospital. He was born on April 27, 1926 in Wellsville to Peter T. and Lena M. Johnson Cole. He retired from Dresser Rand in 1988 after 44 years of service. Irwin did not have any children but was like a father to many of his nieces and nephews. Survivors include 3 sisters: Alice VanDruff of Wellsville; Phyllis Cole of Wellsville and Lucille [Therald] Hackett of Binghamton : a brother Walter Cole of Wellsville : several nieces and nephews in-cluding a special great nephew Andrew Cole. Besides his parents he predeceased by a brother in law Albert Van Druff; asister in law Alice M. Cole; a nephew Fred VanDruff and a great nephew Albert VanDruff III. Friends are invited to call on Friday April 22 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville. A funeral service will take place on Saturday at 2 pm in the Funeral Home. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery and memorials may be made to the Office of the Aging.
Roberta J. Campbell
Wellsville, NY
Roberta J. Campbell, of 4192B Bolivar Road, passed away on Wednesday May 4, 2005 at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville. She was born on November 29, 1920 in Wellsville to Harry and Ethel Morehouse Pendleton. In 1940 she married Lee Campbell who predeceased her in 1978.Roberta was a long time resident of Wellsville. She graduated from BelmontCentralSchool and from OBI in Olean. When she was young she studied music. Roberta was a strong woman who stayed active until she lost her sight. She was member of the former Church of Christ in Christian Union Church of Wellsville, TOPS, Wellsville Senior Citizens Center and Allegany County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She loved traveling with friends, music, reading and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Survivors include: 2 sons Richard [Pat] Campbell of Batavia and David [Pat] Campbell of Wellsville; a daughter Donna [Marge Phillips] Campbell of Rochester; 4 grandchildren Amy Burlingame, Karen Okafor, Robert Campbell and Robyn Campbell as well as 8 great grandchildren; a sister Rachael Pendleton of Wellsville with whom she lived with and several nieces and nephews.She was predeceased by a daughter Bonnie Campbell. Friends are invited to call at the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Wellsville on Saturday May 7 from 1 pm to 2 pm. At which time the funeral service will be held with Rev. Carl Kemp presiding. Memorials may be made to the Allegany County Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Mary M. Carlson
Angelica, NY
Mary M. Carlson passed away in her home on Van Allen Road in Angelica on May 5, 2005. She was born on July 22, 1934 in Bedfords Corners, NY. to John and Mary Krywy Pockalny. On February 18, 1956 in Cuba, NY. she married Junior E. Carlson who survives.Mary was a former resident of the Town of Wheatfield moving back to Western, NY. in 1992 with her husband after raising her family. Her life was her family and had great joy in seeing her children and grandchildren. She will be missed by all! Survivors include: 4 daughters Michelle [Andy] Stephens, Laurie Hatmaker, Mary Anne Carameta and Julie Carlson; 4 sons Michael [Betty Lou] Carlson, John [Doris] Carlson, Joe [Kelli McDaniel] Carlson and Jim Carlson. 16 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren 4 sisters Anna Balacki, Caroline Fairbanks, Estella Olkosky and Julie Pettit; 2 brothers Creighton and Stephen Pockalny as well as several nieces and nephews Predeceased by: 3 sisters Rose Olkosky, Helen Little and Katherine Smith; 4 brothers Michael, Andrew, Peter and Joseph Pockalny Friends are invited to call in the J.W. Embser Sons Funeral Home in Belmont on Saturday May 7 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm. A Prayer Service will be held on Monday at 10:30 am in the Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am in St. Mary’s Church in Belmont. No services on Sunday! Father Dennis Mancuso will be Celebrant and burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Belmont. Memorial wishes may be made to the Olean General Hospital Cancer Unit.
